Cherry tree named ‘PA7UNIBO’

ABSTRACT

Variety Denomination ‘PA7UNIBO’ is a novel cherry tree derived from a seedling of unknown cross which was planted at Vignola, Modena Province, Italy. The genus and species (cultivar) of ‘PA7UNIBO’ is  Prunus avium . It was initially propagated by grafting to root stocks of varying vigor and, after testing in districts and plantings of differing types, proved to have qualities for a promising new cultivar for the market.

Latin name and variety denomination: Latin name of the genus/species of the plant claimed (cultivar): Prunus avium (L.)L.

Variety denomination: ‘PA7UNIBO’.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to CPVO (Community Plant Variety Office) Application No. 201502594, titled, ‘PA7UNIBO’, which was filed on Nov. 12, 2015, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The European Trademark for ‘Sweet Stephany’ was registered on Aug. 1, 2016 as Registration No. 014997911. This European Trademark is associated to ‘PA7UNIBO’, and used to distinguish such cherry variety from others.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Prunus avium ‘PA7UNIBO ’ originally derived from as seedling. The seedling is of unknown parentage and was selected in 2004 in Vignola, Modena, Province, Italy. The seedling was named and tested as DCA BO B5 A89. The seedling was initially propagated by grafting. Grafting was done on different rootstocks of varying vigor, and tested in different growing districts and planting densities. These studies demonstrated that the new selection has properties for a new cultivar for the market. The harvest is in the third to fourth week of June in Modena, Province, more precisely, about 27-28 days after ‘Burlat’ and approximately 6-9 days after ‘Bing’.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The name of a closest comparison cultivar ‘PA7UNIBO’ is ‘Lapins’. ‘Lapins’ has an approximate harvest date comparable to ‘PA7UNIBO’ (e.g., ‘Lapins’ ripens approximately 6-8 days after ‘Bing’), however, compared to ‘Lapins’, PA7UNIBO's fruit is larger, comparable in size to ‘Duroni 3’ and ‘Sunburst’ varieties (with an average caliber of between 30 and 32 mm). ‘PA7UNIBO’ was selected for specific quality features, including tree growth and yield performance (similar to ‘Lapins’), fruit appearance (medium red, comparable to ‘Lapins’), unusual taste-flavor properties attributed the unique sugar content and acidity ratios, which are higher than ‘Lapins’. The color of flesh is medium red (comparable to ‘Lapins’). The fruit is firmer than ‘Lapins’. Other distinctive traits of ‘PA7UNIBO’ also include mid-to-late picking date, in the third to fourth week of June in Modena Province, approximately 27-28 days after ‘Burlat’ and approximately 6-9 days after ‘Bing’.

The date of cross was in the year 2000. The location of the discovery was Vignola, Modena Province, Italy. The date of the first asexual propagation was in 2008 in Vignola, Modena Province, Italy. ‘PA7UNIBO’ resulted from a cross of unknown varieties, but was initially propagated on root stock of ‘Gisela 6’ in the trial fields to test field and cropping performance in a medium-to-high density planting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new variety as depicted in color as nearly true as is reasonably possible in color illustrations of this character.

FIG. 1 illustrates trees of ‘PA7UNIBO’ at blooming time.

FIG. 2 shows the flowers of ‘PA7UNIBO’.

FIG. 3 shows the leaf of ‘PA7UNIBO’.

FIG. 4 shows fruits of ‘PA7UNIBO’.

FIG. 5 shows fruits of ‘PA7UNIBO’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF ‘PA7UNIBO’

-   General:     -   -   Age of described tree(s).—5 years slender spindle training             system.         -   Location of described trees(s).—Vignola, Modena Province,             Italy.         -   Name of color chart used.—Royal Horticultural Society Colour             Chart.         -   Name of root stock.—‘Gisela 6’. -   Tree:     -   -   Vigor.—High.         -   Height.—4.5 meters.         -   Spread.—3 meters.         -   Growth habit.—Open.         -   Canopy density.—Medium.         -   Trunk diameter at specified height.—19-22 cm, as measured at             about 5 cm above graft joint.         -   Trunk color.—Gray (201A).         -   Bark texture.—Medium rough.         -   Tendency toward alternate bearing.—No.         -   Winter hardiness.—Unknown; no winter cold damage found in             this Po Valley district.         -   Chilling requirement.—Unknown.         -   Fruit production.—Produces regularly at about 12-15 ton/ha             in Vignola area. -   Branch:     -   -   Length.—150-200 cm.         -   Diameter.—3-4 cm.         -   Crotch angle.—45°-60° depending on training system.         -   Bark color.—Reddish-brown (183B) with gray (201A).         -   Bark texture.—Medium rough. -   Current year shoot:     -   -   Length.—50-60 cm.         -   Color.—Reddish-brown (200C) with fairly widespread gray             overtone (201A).         -   Diameter.—6-12 mm.         -   Texture.—Lightly rough. -   Winter hardiness:     -   -   USDA hardiness zone.—Unknown.         -   Chilling requirement.—Unknown. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Number per spur.—5-6, but usually 6.         -   Shape.—Sub-globose.         -   Length.—About 1 cm.         -   Diameter.—Under 1 cm.         -   Color.—Reddish purple (187C). -   Flowers:     -   -   Number per cluster.—Minimum 18, maximum 20 per spur; 3-4 per             bud. Bloom is abundant.         -   Relative position of petals.—Petals overlap slightly.         -   Diameter.—30-35 mm.         -   Depth.—10-15 mm, measured as distance from receptacle to             maximum petal aperture.         -   Is pollen produced?.—Yes.         -   Coloration of pollen.—Pale yellow (12A).         -   Amount of pollen.—Abundant. -   Sepal:     -   -   Length.—5-6 mm.         -   Shape.—Pointed.         -   Width.—3-4 mm.         -   Apex.—Pointed.         -   Base.—Flat.         -   Margin descriptors.—Circular.         -   Color.—Upper surface. — Pale green 142B.         -   Color.—Lower surface. — Pale green 142A with red (173A).         -   Texture.—Light pubescence on both surfaces. -   Petal:     -   -   Number per flower.—5.         -   Shape.—Circular.         -   Length.—18-20 mm.         -   Width.—16-18 mm.         -   Apex.—Slightly sunken.         -   Base.—Slightly pointed.         -   Margin.—Repand.         -   Color.—Upper surface. — White 20D.         -   Color.—Lower surface. — White 20D.         -   Texture.—Both superior and inferior pages of the petals are             smooth. -   Bloom:     -   -   Date of bud burst.—7-8 Apr. 2013.         -   Date of first bloom.—13 Apr. 2013.         -   Date of full bloom.—16 Apr. 2013.         -   Date of last bloom.—21 Apr. 2013. -   Pedicel:     -   -   Length.—28-35 mm.         -   Diameter.—About 1.2 mm.         -   Color.—Pale green 144A. -   Pistil:     -   -   Quantity.—1.         -   Size.—19-21 mm.         -   Color.—Pale green 144D. -   Anthers:     -   -   Quantity.—28-30, with about 70% of 10-13 mm in length,             positioned slightly below the top of the stigma, and the             remaining 30% varying from 5-8 mm. White filament (20D).         -   Size.—About 1 mm diameter.         -   Color.—Orange-yellow 15C. -   Stigma:     -   -   Quantity.—1.         -   Size.—1.0-1.2 mm diameter.         -   Color.—Yellow-green (144B). -   Styles:     -   -   Quantity.—1.         -   Size.—14-16 mm length.         -   Color.—Yellow-green (144B). -   Ovary:     -   -   Quantity.—1.         -   Size.—3-4 mm.         -   Color.—Pale green 144A.

Leaves:

-   -   -   Length.—12.2-14.1 mm.         -   Width.—6.5-6.9 mm.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate-elliptical.         -   Apex shape.—Pointed.         -   Base shape.—Pointed.         -   Margin.—Fine toothed.         -   Color.—Upper surface. — Dark green 137 B.         -   Color.—Lower surface. — Pale green 147B veined green-yellow             (152A) in center.         -   Texture.—The superior page of the leaf is smooth, whereas             the inferior page of the leaf is lightly rough.         -   Glands.—The nectaries are present generally in a number of             two for each leaf, they are renifrom, with length 2-3 mm,             width 1-2 mm, and reddish in color (183A).

-   Petiole:     -   -   Length.—4.5-5 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 2 mm.         -   Color.—Pale green lower 144A and reddish upper (183A).

-   Fruit:     -   -   Shape.—Depressed heart-shaped.         -   Diameter.—Mostly 30 mm.         -   Height.—24-27 mm.         -   Weight.—12-13 grams on average.         -   Number per cluster.—5-10 per spur.         -   Skin color (include ground color and over color).—Shiny dark             red (187B) tending to blackish-dark red (187A) at advanced             maturity.         -   Presence of lenticels.—Yes.         -   Density of lenticels.—Medium-high.         -   Skin thickness.—Medium-thin.         -   Skin texture.—Smooth.         -   Anthocyanin coloration present near skin?.—No.         -   Tenacity of flesh to stone.—Low.         -   Flesh color.—Red (53A).         -   Flesh texture.—Fine.         -   Juiciness.—High.         -   Juice analysis (brix, acidity, tss, etc.).—21.9 Brix and             11.8 g/l malic acid (2012-2015 data).         -   Stone size.—The weight average of the stone is 0.45 gram,             the height ranges from 0.9 to 1.3 cm, and the diameter             ranges from 0.8 to 1.0 cm.         -   Stone shape.—Shape of stone in ventral view is elliptic,             apex is pointed, base is circular, semi-cling.         -   Stone color.—Pale brown (165D).         -   Use.—Fresh market.

-   Kernel:     -   -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Height.—Ranges from 0.6 to 1.0 cm.         -   Width.—Ranges from 0.5 to 0.8 cm.         -   Thickness.—Ranges from 0.2 to 0.4 mm.

-   Fruit stem:     -   -   Length.—35-38 mm.         -   Diameter.—Just over 1 mm.         -   Color.—Green (143A).

-   Harvest:     -   -   Maturity date range.—June 10-June 25, approximately 26 days             after ‘Burlat’ and about 6 to 9 days after ‘Bing’. Optimum             harvest dates of ‘PA7UNIBO’ in Modena Province are June             15-20.         -   Harvest date range (if different).—Same as above. The             diploid cultivar ‘PA7UNIBO’ is self-fertile, with the             allelic profile of S3S4. Fruit load and yield is high and             constant, particularly in the presence of flying insects             (e.g., bees, wasps, hornets, beetles, butterflies, etc.).             ‘PA7UNIBO’ possesses high fruit quality traits that hold             steady through subsequent pickings, for at least 10 days.             The method of propagation of the variety is represented by             budding or grafting. Under observation during planting,             growing and harvesting under normal cultural and growing             conditions in Modena Province, Italy, ‘PA7UNIBO’ has been             tested against the following viruses: ACLSV, ApMV, PRNSV,             PDV, CLRV, RpRSV, CNRMV, PPV, TBSV, LChV-1, LChV-1, SLRSV,             ArMV, APLPV. The results were negative, i.e., ‘PA7UNIBO’ was             free from the above-mentioned viruses. Because of the             outstanding and unique horticultural characters of the             claimed plant, especially its long harvest period and large             size, this cherry can be planted to extend the cultivar's             season. Although this new variety of cherry possesses the             above-described characteristics, it is to be understood that             variations and fluctuations may occur in the magnitude and             qualities due to changes in growing and climate conditions,             irrigation, fertilization, pruning and pest control. 

What is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cherry tree, as herein described and illustrated. 